Two decades ago, Danielle Imbo and Richard “Rich” Petrone vanished without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that continues to haunt their families and investigators. This week marks the 20th anniversary of their disappearance, and the FBI is renewing its plea for information to help solve this cold case.
On February 19, 2005, Imbo and Petrone were enjoying a night out with friends at a Philadelphia bar. Around midnight, they were seen leaving the bar and walking towards Petrone’s black 2001 Dodge Dakota pickup truck. They were never seen again.
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Imbo, a 34-year-old mortgage processor from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was a devoted mother to her young son. Petrone, a 40-year-old bakery worker from South Philadelphia, was a dedicated father to his daughter.
“If there’s only one thing I can guarantee, there is no way that Danielle Imbo and Rich Petrone wouldn’t find a way to get some kind of message back to their kids,” said Special Agent Philip Blessington, who is co-leading the FBI Philadelphia investigation.
The couple’s sudden disappearance baffled investigators and devastated their families. Despite extensive searches and numerous interviews, no concrete leads emerged.
In 2015, the FBI formed a task force with local and state law enforcement agencies to reinvigorate the investigation. They have pursued hundreds of leads, including tips that placed the couple as far away as Alaska and Washington state, but the case remains unsolved.
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“Unfortunately, I don’t think there’s any chance that they are alive,” said Blessington.
Investigators believe that someone within the tight-knit South Philadelphia community holds the key to solving this mystery. They are urging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward.
“After 20 years, we really need to bring Rich and Danielle home,” Blessington pleaded.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $15,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the couple’s disappearance.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the FBI Philadelphia Field Office at 215-418-4000.
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